The Hindu Business Line : Novatium to offer NetTV

NetTV will enable consumers to adopt Triple Play, which is the streaming of voice, video and data over broadband using the Internet Protocol (IP). Soon consumers will be offered VoIP (voice over IP), Video on demand and IPTV (TV over broadband), said Mr Alok Singh, CEO, Novatium.

As an entertainment offering, it will be bundled with an Internet connection and subscription to the content. This will be offered by what will be known as `digital' service providers.

Many firms across domains are readying for Triple Play across the country.

Internet service providers (ISP) such as BSNL, MTNL, Reliance and Airtel are laying out more lines to reach more homes while content providers and TV broadcasters are upgrading their standards and digitising their channels. Device makers are also vying for the digital living room. In the midst of this competition, Novatium is confident of NetTV's success.

PC + TV

The company is relying on NetTV's ability to double up as a PC to attract consumers. It is an advanced version of the company's original innovation - the Network PC. Similar to NetPC, it runs on a mobile phone's processor and is bereft of monitor and peripherals. It will look like a set top box, but will be able to behave as a computer too, said Mr Singh.

NetTV beats normal set-top boxes with a low weight of 500 gms. Its price is also guaranteed to be lower than them as it runs on an Analogue Devices mobile processor, which is much cheaper than the advanced processors used by current set top boxes in market.

"Set-top boxes are currently being sold to a niche consumer segment whereas NetTV is meant for the masses," said Mr Singh. Novatium expects NetTV to reach a high density of consumers in the country.

IPTV TO BE ECONOMICAL

The bouquet of triple play service (with NetTV as the device residing at the user's home) may be offered at a monthly rental of Rs 500, predicted Mr Singh.

Novatium's NetTV would link to a server hosted by Sify or Novatium. The link would be over broadband wireline connections (cable internet) or WiFi or Ethernet cables, he said. The company is eyeing BSNL, with its 45 million broadband subscribers, for a strategic partnership as a carrier. Both NetPC and NetTV will be launched in two months.

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